İzmir to host 2nd UNESCO world heritage cycling tour

At least 250 amateur cyclists will travel more than 200 kilometers as part of the "UNESCO World Heritage Sites Cycling Tour 2017" in İzmir, Turkey on Sept. 23 and Sept. 24.

Organized for the second time, the tour will run from Bergama's (Pergamon) ancient site of Serapeion to Ephesus in Selçuk, looking to draw attention to these UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the city.

Bergama, with its multi-layered cultural landscape, was recognized as a world heritage site in 2014. It is not only home to ancient Greek remains but also features ancient burial mounds and ruins belonging to the Romans, Byzantines as well as the Ottomans. Ephesus, on the other hand, became a world heritage site in 2015. It is an outstanding example of a Roman port city, with sea channels and harbors. It attracts thousands of tourists every year from around the globe.